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Bird flu plans may force churches to axe communion
05 July 2006
By ANNA CHALMERS
Communion wafers, drinking wine from the chalice, and even public services in the Catholic Church could face the chop in the latest response to the threat of a flu pandemic.
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference has written to parishes this week outlining both immediate changes to holy communion and wider plans if a pandemic hits.
Practices effective immediately include priests using only chalices and bowls made of precious metals for the distribution of holy communion. "Research has shown that metal chalices are less likely to contribute to the spread of diseases," church bird flu epidemic protocols state.
Communion from the chalice and on the tongue would cease if the Health Ministry upgrades New Zealand's pandemic status from a code white (existing planning state) to code yellow (standby state). Catholics would be issued guidelines for worshipping in private.
Should New Zealand reach a code red status, or epidemic, then all public worship, including funerals, will cease.
"Of course we all pray that such an epidemic will not come about in New Zealand, but it is important for us to be prepared in the eventuality of such a happening," President Bishop Denis Browne said in his letter.
Signs are being sent to parishes demonstrating good hand-washing practices along with cleaning instructions, which include washing chalice cloth in hot soapy water and drying it in the sun, reportedly a more hygienic method.